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After a Cabinet decision in June of 2001 ordered the Paak Moon Dam opened and an official taskforce was established to study the impact of the Paak Moon Dam on the ecosystem and fish population in Moon River, it became evident that the inclusion of the local villagers in this project would provide for a more thorough and useful study. Therefore, a local group - drawn from the Paak Moon Assembly of the Poor, comprising 200 locals directly affected by the Paak Moon Dam - was also commissioned. Actual research by both the official taskforce and the local committee was conducted from June of 2001 to May of 2002. These are their major findings...
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Before the construction of the Dam, Moon River was a major river that supplied the entire Northeastern region of Thailand. One of Thailand's richest rivers and the largest artery of the Mekhong River, the Moon River originally contained 265 different kinds of fish. In addition to the river's diversity, the surrounding wetlands also boasted a beautiful and varied ecosystem. Upon the construction of the Paak Moon Dam, however, all of nature's blessings were immediately and adversely impacted. The fish from the Mekhong were impeded from laying their eggs in the Moon River and the transformation of the Moon River into a still body of water created an environment in which harmful vegetation and microorganisms proliferated. What was once a varied, lush ecosystem was almost immediately "drowned out".
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Luckily, the forced opening of the Dam during the dry season in June of 2001 effected immediate changes. A total of 152 kinds of fish returned to the Moon River. In addition to the reinvigorated ecosystem of the area, the return of the fish coupled with the river's general transformation also positively impacted the local economy. A resurgence in fishing activities boosted the local economy at a time when the entire nation suffered from a major economic and financial setback, and generated revenue to the satisfaction not only of the local population but even the state officials who initially supported the Dam.
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The Paak Moon Dam was only in full operation for about 7 years, but the impression it has left the local villagers and state officials alike will hopefully remain in their memories long enough to prevent this sort of destruction from happening again.
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